South Korea’s suicide rate has increased, and media coverage of celebrity suicide and internet addiction are believed to be partly responsible.

In 2013, rates of intentional self-harm in the country reached 29.1 suicides per 100,000 – an increase of 28 per cent from 2002.

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This is much higher than the world average of 12 per 100,000.

According to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) figures, unlike many countries around the world, South Korea’s suicide rates rose in the past decade.

The reason for this remains unclear.

Studies indicate media coverage of celebrity self-harm can have an impact, generating “copy-cat” suicides – particularly in a vulnerable society.

Another study indicated a link between internet addiction and depression which led to suicide ideation.

In 2012, Guyana registered the highest suicide rate in the world at 44.2 per 100,000.

Turkey had the lowest rate in 2013 at just 2.9.